Improvement in gun harpoons



B E. SMITH.

Bomb Lance.

Patented Apr. 23, 1867.

Inventor:

witnewesz ROBERT E. SMITH, OF PB-OVINOETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS. am PM No. 64,Q45, damzA i-iz 23, 1567i IMPROVEMENT IN GUN HARPOONS.

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. SMITH, of Provineetown, in the eounty of Barnstable, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and improved Shooting Harpoon, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, makings. part of this specification, in which? Figure 1 represents a top view; and" Figure 2, a side view of my invention.,

The object of my invention is to provide a means for harpooning a whale at a greater distance than can be effected by the usual means of throwing the harpoon by hand; and the invention consists in constructing a harpoon, provided'with a hinged or pivoted barb, with a slotted shank, in which latter is secured a sliding link,

to which is fastened the harpoon line, then-ear end of the slot being provided with a block or guard of India rubber, or other elastic material, to receive the shock of the ring as the harpoou is dischargedfromagnn.

In the usual method of throwing the harpoon by hand it is often quite diflicult to get snfiiciently near a whale to strike an eii'eetual blow, and much time and labor are expended in chasing awhale for the purpose. Attempts have been made to overcome this diflieulty by the use of harpoons which have been discharged from a gun; but, in the course of a long experience, I have never seen any device that has proved successful. After experimenting considerably, and for a long time, I have succeeded in perfecting a device which has proved entirely successful, and which will effect the saving of much time and labor to persons engaged in the business of catching whales.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the point of the harpovon, made by preference with threesides, to insure a straight direction of the harpoon when discharged. In the head Bis formed a groove or recess for the reception of a barb, C, which is pivoted at its forward end, so as to lie in the groove when closed, or be extended at right angles, or nearly so, with the head when open. In the shank D of the harpoon is a longitudinal slot, F, extending from a point near the enlarged part or head of the instrument to near the rear end of the same. lVithin this slot is placed a link, formed of several strands of wire, of any suitable metal, twisted together, the link sliding freely in the slot. To this link is attached the harpoon line or rope. The link is formed of wire, as described, for the purpose of combining more tenacity and elasticity than a linkof solid metal. At the rear end of the slot F is secured apieceof India rubber, g, or other elastic material, for the purpose of receiving and relieving the shock of the link E when the harpoon is discharged from a gun. By this means the linlo is prevented from breaking by the sudden shock, as it would be most likely to (lo if the link were of solid metal, and brought violently and suddenly against an unyielding portion of the harpoon. The harpoon can be made quite small, and occupies but little space, and is therefore light and easily handled.

When used, its rear end is placed in the muzzle of a short gun or fire-arm adapted to the purpose, extending within the gun as far as the link in the slot will allow, as shown in fig.- 2. The gun being discharged, the harpoon will fly out, and the link having the line attached will be brought with great force to the rear end of the slot, when it comes in contact with the elastic seat or guard g,'which yields sufliciently to break the force of the blow, and prevent the link or harpoon from breaking. The harpoon, when discharged, enters the body of the whale, and, on being drawn back by the line, the barb G will open, and thus prevent its withdrawal from the whale.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- The head A B, grooved to receive the pivoted barb O, and cast in one piece with the slotted shank D, the latter being provided with the elastic guard g, and the wire link E, all constructed and operating substantially as deseribod and for the purpose set forth. I

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT E. SMITH Witnesses:

, J. H. ADAMS,

DAVID KsLLnusn. 

